Saying ‘I Do’ Orlandoan Style

Erica is a Believer, wife, mom, writer, and lover of all things ladybugs. When she’s not helping her hubby with the daily operations of their homestead or chasing and teaching her two small blessings, you can find her writing for Orlando Date Night Guide and Date Night Guide where she strives to inspire couples to celebrate their relationship.

There are few occasions as significant as vowing to spend the rest of your life with your love. It’s a time of romance, special moments shared, and overwhelming happiness. Orlando is a quintessential destination for a picture perfect wedding. The City Beautiful not only has top theme parks, but a hot culinary scene, many local happenings, and beautiful weather year-round! You would be hard-pressed to find a better locale for your important day. After all, Orlando was named the best place to get married according to a study conducted by WalletHub.

We’ve gathered a few local favorites and some of the best Hilton properties for a picturesque backdrop to tie the knot.

Harry P. Leu Gardens

Leu Gardens has specialized in garden weddings for many years. Lovebirds have used this 50-acre botanical oasis as the backdrop to their declaration of love for weddings, vow renewals, and commitment ceremonies. The standard sites are for guests of 26 or more. You have your choice of the Rose Garden, Leu House Museum Lawn or Landing, and the Floral Clock. Small ceremonies are for guests of 25 or less and can be held in the South Woods Gazebo, Trellis, or Courtyard Gazebo.

The standard wedding rate is $750 for 26 – 180 guests or more. For smaller ceremonies of 25 guests or less, the rate is $250.

Harry P. Leu Gardens via Corner House Photography

Paradise Cove

Dreaming of a tropical wedding? You don’t have to travel to Florida’s coast to achieve your fancy. Paradise Cove is a close neighbor to the Walt Disney World Resort. It lies on the shore of Lake Bryan with sandy beaches and towering palm and cypress trees for a coastal setting to marry your soulmate. You and your entourage have access to the Lakeside Suite perfect for pre-wedding hair, makeup, and dressing. After your lifelong promise declarations on the shoreline, gather in the large tiki hut for festive conviviality or celebrate at one of the local Hilton properties. Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace – Disney Springs Area is one of the preferred hotels for Paradise Cove.

There are a few packages available for those who choose an intimate ceremony-only option. Not only can the packages be customized, but they are a great way to host a sophisticated wedding while staying within budget.

Luxmore Grande Estate

Luxmore Grande Estate rests in Winter Springs, FL and is saturated with lavish extravagance. As you arrive at this gated 5-acre property, you’ll realize every minute and all aspects of your luxurious event will be met with an impeccable setting and service.

The Estate can host up to 200 guests and offers customized wedding and reception packages. Brides are able to choose among services such as basic ceremony inclusions, ceremony music, decor, photography and videography, hair and make-up, and transportation. The in-house culinary team will handle all food and beverage requests. There are several indoor locations along with the Jesup Garden and patio outside to become one.

Luxmore Grande Estate

Orlando Science Center

If you’re a couple looking for something out of the ordinary, be sure to take a close look at Orlando Science Center. With five floors of exhibits, you are bound to find one that suits your style superbly. Prepare for one of the most important days of your life in the bridal suite before stepping into a very distinctive scene. Pledge your love lakeside, feast on the large outdoor rooftop with a skyline view of the City, and dance next to prehistoric dinosaurs.

The Orlando Science Center has received many awards and accolades from The Knot, WeddingWire, and Orlando Sentinel. The wedding coordinators would be pleased to assist in creating a marriage ceremony that is unforgettable.

Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek

This sprawling resort has five pools to splash around in, hot tubs to melt away pre-wedding stress, and a lazy river to float along with your honey. Not to mention, Disney parks are a mere minutes away. Looking for a grandiose wedding on a budget? Packages start at just $89 per person at Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek! With two ballrooms, a lovely pavillion, and the Signature Island shared with Waldorf Astoria Orlando, there are plenty of options for a matchless setting to your novel ceremony.

Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek also specializes in ethnic wedding celebrations where cultural and religious traditions run deep. Not only will your big day be special, it will be authentic. You’ll find all of the details here.

A few amenities included in the wedding reception package are a discount room code for overnight guests, 20% discount on golf for the couple and wedding guests, 20% discount at the spa for the wedding party, upgraded room accommodations for the parents, and one-night suite accommodations for the couple. That’s on top of the personalized service from staff to ensure every detail of your big day is flawless.

Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace – Disney Springs Area

Located on 27 acres in the middle of the Walt Disney World Resort, personnel at Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace – Disney Springs Area are dedicated to being your fairy godmother for your enchanted day. The bride and groom will have complimentary accommodations on the wedding night and overnight guests will have room block rates available. With Disney Springs and Saratoga Springs Golf Course within walking distance, guests will want to make a memorable vacation out of your event.

Ceremony pricing begins at $1,500 with an approved wedding coordinator. Reception pricing will depend upon the menu selection but is loaded with inclusions ensuring you won’t have to worry about a single detail. Make sure you consider a twilight ceremony with the reception at 20Seven perched on the top floor of the 27-tower building. If timed right, you, your sweetheart, and guests will be able to sneak a peek at the spectacular Disney fireworks. Now that’s magical!

Bride Natalie writes on The Knot, “My husband and I came across Buena Vista Palace when we found the 20Seven venue. It was on the top floor of the hotel and exceeded everything we ever imagined for our wedding day. The thought of watching fireworks at the end of our reception seemed perfect for us and our guests. The entire planning process could not have gone smoother thanks to the amazing team at BVP. From the moment we walked into 20Seven, we fell IN LOVE with the view and overall room layout. The ability to have a 360 view of the City really provided the formal event space we wanted that met all the unique, romantic, and formal ideas we had imagined. I HIGHLY recommend 20Seven to all brides who are planning a wedding and wants the fancy, classy reception with an amazing view of the City and Disney Springs.”

Waldorf Astoria Orlando

Exchange vows at one of Orlando’s top luxury hotels, the Waldorf Astoria Orlando. The scenery, personalized service, and accommodations will wow you and your guests. The professional wedding planners desire to turn your fairytale wedding into something as unique as the couple you are. There are four distinctive locations on-site to gaze into your sweetheart’s eyes and vow your undying love. Signature Island offers picturesque views of the golf course and waterways. If you are dreaming of a sunset wedding, this is the spot! The ceremony fee is $3,200 and includes your wedding coordinator, ceremony venue, white chairs, citrus and berry infused water, staging area, staff and signage for directions, and sound package.

Kick off an evening of romance and fun with your reception at the Grand Ballroom or Central Park. If you can dream it, the culinary team can create it. The planning team will assist in constructing the cocktail menu, main course, and premium wedding cake to reflect you and your soulmate. Reception packages begin at $230 per person. After an evening of sophisticated fun, you and your guests can retreat to relaxing accommodations, which are offered at discounted rates. The wedding party receives 20% off of services at the spa and all wedding guests receive 20% off of green fees.

As an added bonus, you and your spouse are invited to return for a two-night stay to reminisce and celebrate your first anniversary. A freshly baked top tier wedding cake will be delivered to your room during your stay.

Waldorf Astoria Orlando

Hilton Orlando

This AAA Four Diamond resort vows to take your fantasy and make it your wedding reality. And since Hilton Orlando was picked as one of The Knot’s Best of Weddings 2017, you can believe that vow! Whether you prefer an intimate and casual engagement or an elaborate celebration, the wedding staff are ready and eager to create a unique experience.

Water and fire features on the Promenade will create a dreamy and romantic atmosphere to say ‘I Do’ to your beloved. This ornate space can entertain up to 3,000 guests with custom features placed throughout the four areas. If an outdoor nuptial isn’t your style, don’t worry. There’s three elegant ballrooms ready to woo your guests with luxury.

Indulge in a day of pampering at eforea Spa which includes wedding hair, makeup, and nail services. There are pools, cabanas, sports courts, a lazy river, jogging trail, putting green, and waterslide for recreational use. Exceptional dining options with locally sourced ingredients are offered for your rehearsal dinner or reception. Preferred room rates and a honeymoon suite are included in the wedding package.

Bride Donna posted on The Knot, “I really can’t say enough about how absolutely wonderful the Hilton and team were throughout the whole planning process for our wedding. Being from out of state, my family and I had a ton of questions, all of which were answered in a timely and very patient manner! [The Team] all checked in with me weekly to ensure I didn’t need anything. Not only were they funny and sweet, they all made me feel welcomed and appreciated. They left nothing to question. The day of, everything was executed flawlessly. The food was incredible and our banquet team was on point! The property itself is beautiful, but it’s definitely the culture that the team creates to make the experience more magical. I really can’t explain how thankful I am to have had such a seamless experience at the hotel. I can’t recommend this venue enough!”

With the newly added outdoor gazebo and private patio areas, your ceremony and reception is bound to be astonishing. For large celebrations, the indoor ballrooms can host up to 2,000 guests so no one is left out. From an elaborate formal dinner to a casual but elegant cocktail party, the catering team delights in customizing your menu and managing the specifics.

Not only are staff enthusiastic to assist you with every detail of your highly important day, they would love the opportunity to aid in planning your rehearsal dinner, bridal shower, bachelor and bachelorette parties, and a ravishing honeymoon. Speaking of honeymoon, did you know Hilton has locations in 80 countries?! You’re bound to discover the ideal getaway to celebrate each other.

Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista - Disney Springs Area

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel at the Entrance to Universal Orlando

Celebrate your new beginning at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel at the Entrance to Universal Orlando where the planning crew is ready to reserve room blocks for guests, choose the ideal ceremony and reception location, and manage every detail of your special day. The modern and inviting atmosphere of the resort will prove to be an excellent choice for your wedding day setting. Since the hotel is located at the entrance of Universal Orlando Resort, you’ll have world-class activities and dining options at your fingertips to celebrate pre and post-wedding adventures (i.e. bridal shower, bachelor and bachelorette parties, rehearsal dinner, and honeymoon). You and your guests will be able to walk to Universal, CityWalk, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay for memorable merriment.

All guests are greeted with DoubleTree chocolate chip cookies warmed in the oven at check in. Staff would also be happy to coordinate welcome gifts upon the arrival of guests from the bride and groom. You won’t be disappointed declaring your lifelong promises to each other at this posh haven!

With each Hilton location, brides and grooms are afforded the perks of creating a personalized website and management of the guest list and room specifications with the Guest List Manager tool. The wedding teams of each location do their best to make the process stress-free and joyous from conception to execution.

The reasons for choosing Orlando as your destination to start this new chapter in life are endless. Whether you decide to declare your love on-site at one of the Hilton resorts or at one of the local gems, relish every moment of your special day. As the Irish blessing goes, “Love, life, and happiness; may your troubles be few and your blessings plenty.” Happy planning!